New Ringer story: The Summer of Austin Reaves
No NBA player had a better summer than the Los Angeles Lakers’ young guard. After making waves in the playoffs, in free agency, and for Team USA, he’s no longer just a feel-good story: He’s a star.
Hi everyone! It’s been a busy summer for Austin Reaves…and a very busy week for yours truly. This is my second feature this week (first one was on Puka Nacua of the Rams).
This story on Austin is about confidence, change, fame, and the never-ending quest to prove people wrong. “I’ve always known I’ve belonged,” Reaves says. My approach for this story was twofold: one, capture the *mood* of a moment, not just a person. Usually profiles are about someone’s journey to get somewhere (at least for me). And I did that during Austin’s rookie year in 2021. Will link below to that as well. But for this second story, I was more interested in: what is it like to actually *get there?* Profiling a place in time as much as a person. He’s been framed as a feel-good story (because it’s truly such an awesome story), but I wanted to show readers: he’s no longer the ‘starry-eyed kid’ many still portray him to be. He’s here and he doesn’t see this as his peak. It was also really cool to interview Jeanie Buss for the piece as well as Phil Handy. Both offered really great insight. I hope you’ll read this story as well as my original profile of him.
New Austin Reaves story, “The Summer of Austin Reaves”: https://www.theringer.com/nba/2023/10/17/23918402/austin-reaves-los-angeles-lakers-lebron-james-team-usa
2021 profile of Austin during his rookie season: https://www.theringer.com/nba/2021/12/15/22831178/austin-reaves-los-angeles-lakers-newark-arkansas
A lot can happen in a short amount of time. A lot can change. It’s wild and exciting and strange and overwhelming and awesome. I wanted to capture all of those feelings.
In other news, I will be taking a very long nap. I am almost done with my Hakeem book. Anyone have any final tips or words of encouragement? I would appreciate it :)
We cannot wait!!! Congratulations in advance!! When is the publication date?